Whippet Activities
Lure Coursing, Agility, Obedience & More
A Fun & Exceptionally Versatile Breed!
There are a lot of activities available for you to enjoy with your whippet; whether you’re looking to participate in casual, more social events or jump into serious competition. Choose from lure coursing, racing, showing, obedience, rally, flyball, agility and much more- or simply enjoy the companionship of this delightful sighthound breed.
Looking for whippet related activities in your area? Visit CanuckDogs.com to search for upcoming events!
Lure Coursing
Most Whippets Love Chasing the “Bunny”
Sighthounds were originally bred to hunt game; from small rabbits to large wolves and deer. Put simply, lure coursing is a simulation of the chase. Two or three hounds of the same breed, selected by random draw, line up at the start line and, on the signal from the Huntmaster, are simultaneously “hand-slipped” by the handlers. The dogs follow an erratic course and are judged not only on speed, but on enthusiasm for the lure and the chase, follow (chasing directly behind the lure and not cutting corners), agility (cornering ability, surefootedness, etc.), and endurance (not running “out of gas” at the end of the course). The hounds are judged by two qualified judges and the one that crosses the finish line first is not always the winner. Courses are set up over a large area and can range from 400 to 1,500 yards in length. The length of the course, the length of the straightaways, the sharpness of the turns, and the terrain, as well as many other factors, are variables used in designing the “hunt”.
The lure machine reels in the line at speeds up to and above 40 mph. At the end of the line is the lure — usually white plastic streamers — which the hounds chase. Pulleys are placed in the ground and the line is strung around them, permitting the lure to change directions and thereby simulating the turns made by live prey. Each hound runs twice (unless dismissed, excused, or disqualified for interference) and all the scores are posted for the exhibitors to see.
Only Afghan Hounds, Basenji, Borzoi, Scottish Deerhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Greyhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Saluki, Italian Greyhounds, Azawakh, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Whippets one year of age or older and registered with the Canadian or American Kennel Clubs may enter lure field trials. Spayed females, altered males and those with show ring disqualifications may also compete.
A Field Championship is awarded to hounds who have earned 100 lure coursing points with at least one first or two-second placements over the competition. The maximum points per trial is 40, which is based on four times the number of dogs in the stake, to a maximum of 10 dogs. Points are also awarded for second, third and fourth, with a maximum of 30 points for 2nd, 20 points for 3rd and 10 points for 4th. All trial results are submitted to the Canadian Kennel Club which keeps accurate records for each hound.
Only recognized sighthound breeds are eligible to participate in lure coursing.
Lure Coursing Links
CKC Lure Coursing Titles
FCh - Field Champion
FChX - Field Champion Excellent*
NC - Novice Courser
AC - Advanced Courser
SNC - Single Courser
VfCh - Veteran Field Champion
VfChX - Veteran Field Champion Excellent*
Racing
Choose Straight Racing, Oval or Both!
There are two types of whippet racing – straight racing and oval racing. Both are pure tests of speed and purely for fun, ribbons and titles. Since whippets are sprinters rather than long-distance runners, many consider this the ultimate test.
In straight racing, the whippets chase the artificial lure (plastic streamers/fake fur) for 150 or 200 yards in a straight line, out of starting boxes. At a race meet, whippets run four times and are matched with other whippets who have shown similar ability in previous races. At the end of the meet, whippets are assigned a score based on their performance in the four races they have run.
Oval racing is very similar, except the races are run on an oval or U-shaped track setup with an inner rail for a distance of 220 to 440 yards. Smart oval racers know to go to the rail quickly and hold that position. Oval races are usually run in groups of 3 to 5 whippets and each whippet races 3 or 4 times, depending on the distance. Scoring and grading are similar to straight racing.
Most whippets enjoy racing, are easily trained and it is fun to compete with whippets of similar speed. Spayed and neutered whippets are eligible to compete. In straight racing, they must conform to the American Kennel Club breed standard which has a disqualification for overheight and undersize, as well as several other breed standard disqualifications.
Whippets at the highest level of racing generally come from those breeders dedicated to the sport whose breeding programs focus primarily on breeding for speed. If one wishes to successfully compete at a high level in racing, it is suggested a dog be obtained from a breeder with racing success.
Whippets competing at the highest level of racing generally come from breeding programs primarily focused on speed.
Conformation Dog Shows
Conforming to the Official Breed Standard
Conformation dog shows are competitive events where purebred dogs are judged based on adherence to their breed standard, a written description of the desirable traits for each breed. Dog shows preserve breed standards, help breeders select breeding stock, and provide a platform for learning and networking among dog enthusiasts.
In competition, conformation classes are divided by age, experience and titles, where judges evaluate their structure, movement, coat, and temperament. Presented by their handler, the judge examines each dog physically on a ramp and visually at a trot. Placements are awarded within each gender and class, leading to the selection of Best of Breed, group winners, and ultimately Best in Show. Points are awarded for the number of dogs defeated on earning the award of Winners at a show. The Championship (Ch) Title is awarded by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) to dogs who earn 10 points by defeating the required number of whippets (or hounds at the group level) under at least three different judges. Whippet puppies may be entered in conformation as young as four months old in Baby Puppy Class or six months to be eligible to compete toward championship points. At a Specialty (whippet or group-specific show), Altered Classes may be offered for spayed/neutered whippets to compete for an Altered Championship.
Most owners can learn the basics of proper show handling and ring procedure with practice at show handling classes and “fun matches.” For those unable to exhibit their own dogs, there are many capable professional handlers who show dogs for a fee. For youth ages 5-18, Junior Handling is an excellent way to get started in the conformation ring!
If you are interested in dog shows, it is suggested that you purchase a whippet from a breeding program where the focus is on breeding for conformation, and select a dog that is considered by its breeder to be show quality or show potential.
At dog shows, all breeds are judged according to how well they conform to their Breed Standards.
Show Titles & Acronyms
Ch - Champion
GrCh - Grand Champion
BIS - Best in Show
SBIS - Specialty Best in Show
BPIS - Best Puppy in Show
Agility
Whippet Obstacles and Exercise
Agility is a very popular dog sport providing a lot of fun (and exercise!) for both dog and handler. Developed in Britain, it was loosely modelled after equestrian show jumping. To compete, each dog is required to navigate an obstacle course under the direction of its handler within a set time and with a minimum of faults. The set of obstacles includes jumps, tunnels, ramps, catwalks (renamed “dogwalks”), teeter totters, and a series of upright poles that the dogs must weave through slalom style! Every course is unique.
Agility is an excellent training/bonding activity for whippets and their owners. Whippets enjoy testing their agility, coordination, and speed while navigating the course. Spayed, neutered and rescue dogs are eligible to compete.
Spayed, neutered and rescue whippets are eligible to compete in agility.
CKC Agility Titles
AgN – Agility Novice
AgI – Agility Intermediate
AgX – Agility Excellent
AgMX – Agility Master Excellence
Scent Detection
There’s excitement in the Air
Scent detection or “Nosework” is an event open to all dogs to enjoy the challenge of locating a scent in partnership with their handler. While this sport has traditionally been associated with scenthound, working and sporting breeds, it is becoming an increasingly popular activity for scent motivated whippets.
CKC Scent Detection Titles
SDN - Scent Detection Novice
SDO - Scent Detection Open
SDE - Scent Detection Excellent
SDC - Scent Detection Container
SDI - Scent Detection Interior
SDX - Scent Detection Exterior
SDM - Scent Detection Master
Obedience
Trial Your Whippet in Obedience
Whippets are coming into their own as obedience dogs, thanks to the many methods of motivational training which have become popular with obedience instructors over the past 15 years. Obedience competitions are open to all registered whippets, including those with disqualifying faults.
The CKC rewards those handlers who successfully train their whippets to perform exercises under their command with three titles: Companion Dog (CD, a basic obedience proficiency), Companion Dog Excellent (CDX, more advanced obedience, including jumping and retrieving), and Utility Dog (UD, very advanced obedience, including scent discrimination and work with hand signals only).
In order to earn a title three passing scores must be earned under two different judges. Obedience whippets can be obtained from any type of breeding program and spayed, neutered and rescue dogs are eligible. The most important requirement for an obedience whippet is temperament - outgoing ones who like retrieving games and food rewards tend to do best in this activity!
The most important requirement for an obedience whippet is temperament.
CKC Obedience Titles
CD – Companion Dog
CDI – Companion Dog Intermediate
CDX – Companion Dog Excellent
UD – Utility Dog
UDX – Utility Dog Excellent
OTCH – Obedience Trial Champion
Rally
About The Sport
Rally is similar to traditional CKC obedience, but exact precision isn’t required for success. Handlers may praise and encourage their dog while they perform fun, fast-paced basic obedience exercises.
CKC Rally Titles
RN – Rally Novice
RA – Rally Advanced
RE – Rally Excellent
RAE – Rally Advanced Excellent
Barn Hunt
Find That Rat!
Open to all whippets, Barn Hunt is a newer activity that is becoming very popular. The sport is intended to test a dog’s ability to find and alert on pet rodents (typically rats), which are safely protected in dog-proof containers in a “barn-like” setting.
Barn Hunt is an independent sport, but BHA (Barn Hunt Association) titles are recognized by both CKC and AKC.
Barn Hunt Assc. Titles
RATN - Novice Barn Hunt
RATO - Open Barn Hunt
RATS - Senior Barn Hunt
RATM - Master Barn Hunt
RATCh - Barn Hunt Champion
RATChX - Master Champion
Flyball
Hurdle relays at Lightning Speed
Flyball is a hurdle relay race for a team of four dogs. Each dog in turn goes over four jumps spaced 10 feet apart. At the end of the four jumps is what is called a flyball box. The dog presses the front of the box with its foot and out shoots a tennis ball, which they catch and return over the four jumps. Once one dog passes the start/finish line, the next dog starts. Flyball is very exciting to watch!
Flyball titles are awarded to dogs based on their lifetime point accumulation. Points are earned by running on a team that completes the four-dog relay in sufficient time. Whippets can be very good at flyball due to their speed and jumping ability, so look for a happy retriever who is very playful if you are interested in this sport with your whippet. The main flyball organization in Canada is the North American Flyball Association (NAFA). Altered and rescue whippets are eligible to compete.
Look for a happy, playful retriever if you’re interested in flyball with your whippet.
Sprinter
Do The 100-Metre Dash
Not to be confused with Lure Coursing, Sprinter is a fun and exciting activity open to all breeds. Run in a straight line, a dog’s time is converted to kilometres per hour and a score is handicapped based on their height. Titles are awarded after accumulating a given number of points.
CKC Sprinter Titles
NS - Novice Sprinter
S - Sprinter
AS - Advanced Sprinter
SX - Sprinter Excellent
Dock Diving
Whippets Are Making a Splash
Despite not traditionally being considered water lovers, some whippets have excelled at this rapidly-growing new sport. In fact, a whippet was a long-time record holder in the Guinness Book of Records. There are several organizations titling dock diving whippets, so be sure to familiarize yourself with those holding events in your area.
Dock Diving Organizations
Chase Ability
Run for Everyone!
Chase Ability is an activity open to both purebred and mixed-breed dogs. Based on traditional Lure Coursing (which is only open to sighthounds), it is a pass/fail event where a dog runs alone and must complete a course enthusiastically without interruption.
CKC Chase Ability Titles
CA - Chase Ability
CAX - Chase Ability Excellent
Therapy
A Life-Enriching Activity
Therapy dogs visit schools, hospitals, care homes, and other venues, bringing smiles and a sense of well-being to those whose lives they touch. If you want to qualify for CKC certification, your whippet must be titled via a CKC-approved therapy dog organization.
CKC-Approved Therapy Dog Organizations
Versatility
Can Your Whippet Do It All?
In January 2022, the Canadian Kennel Club introduced the new Versatility Title Program. It encourages interdisciplinary participation and includes over 30 events. Learn more about qualifying and applying for CKC Versatility titles at CKC.ca
Have a multi-titled whippet? CKC’s new Versatility Title Program might be for you!